It has been a long week kids, but I deserve all of the work after the great time I had in Winston-Salem last week. I was fortunate enough to be in the wedding of my good friends, Caroline Beavers and Bob Numbers. They are two amazing people and both have lovely families. It was nice to a small part of such a special day. Those crazy kids will head back up to South Bend this weekend so Bob can finish up law school under the watchful eye of the golden domers. Thank you both for allowing me to participate in your wedding. I wish you both endless years of happiness and joy. And come back to Nashville ANYTIME.

Being home last week allowed to me kill several birds with one stone, or one Southwest ticket. Wednesday evening, Erich and I played a 45-minute acoustic set to a rousing crowd of friends and family. Yes, it was ARGUS at its simplest form, a voice and a guitar. I stumbled through a couple of songs, being MONTHS out of practice, but we found our groove. It was nice to in front of my Winston friends again, and even my new lady friend got to enjoy the sounds. Erich had a bunch of PA school friends in the house, so it was a pleasure meeting all of them.

I was also able to spend a little time with the Wake crew ... Big Red, Kahl girl, Dean, Demetrius and everyone else. It is always nice to go back and rekindle the good friendships I began at Wake. I was able to meet some of the new staffers, and I even had the chance to visit with the Adams family. Steve, Christine and lil' Jake. I can't believe how quickly that kid has grown. I stopped by their place last Thursday and before I knew it, 2-year-old Jake and I were best buds. Just yesterday, Christine gave birth to their second child, sweet and beautiful Camden. Well, I'm sure she is beautiful, but of course I am not there to see her. I did have the opportunity to catch up on the phone with the tired pop, Steve, last night. Mom, little girl and the rest of the family is doing well. I'm thrilled for all of them, I just wish I could be around more.

Lastly but most importantly, I was able to be home for my mother's birthday. I've been away from home so much, you tend to miss out on little things like that. Mom was thrilled to have both my sister and I home for her day. We showered her with a few gifts, but she doesn't allow us to really buy things she wants. We always end up purchasing things she needs, which isn't always as fun for her. But she's still our Momma, and we love her dearly. It was nice to be around her all week. Nice to be around Sissy and Dad too. All family argue from time to time, but all three of them mean the world to me.

There are very few video games I purchase. Most are sports related. I do have a predilection for WWE games, mainly because there are times where I just need to take frustrations out on something, so I beat the hell out of someone with a steel chair. See, much better than contributing to road rage or yelling at friends. Anyway, the latest version of their game comes out in October. I am hoping this one has on-line capability so I can beat Ward and Flippen's ass via the internet. There is a long history between the three of us dating back to the early days of DeKalb. Oh yes, the DeKalb Wrestling Federation will never die.

Each week ESPN has been nothing their top 50 moments in sport over the last 25 years. For me, this is the most memorable and exciting. If you red that article, you will realize why I want to name one of my sons Carter. I get chills when I read that page. It is somewhat silly how sport has such a huge impact on the lives of the people who follow their teams, but I will never forget that moment or that Series. As a baseball fan, that is what you dream of ... your team, trying to win a championship, and doing so at the last at bat. It is very memorable, and I'm pleased that ESPN remembered it so well.

Two weeks away from kickoff. It is somewhat frightening, but exciting in the same respect. I have the opportunity to do some great things here. The pieces are starting to fall into place, and as long as I can get all of the prep work completed in the stadium, I feel like we'll have a great first game. Yes, I am concerned about the effort on the field. I hope the Commodores WHOOP UP on South Carolina, but more importantly for me, I want things to run smoothly. Trust me, you'll know all about it.

This past week, Vertical Horizon ended their marriage to RCA Records, a marriage which spawned a hit record in 1999, "Everything You Want," and 2003's "Go." VH become well known from the title track of "EYW," but weren't allowed to really push their follow up album. In sports terms, RCA dropped the ball. It is unfortunate because "Go," is a tremendous album. At least this way they can get back to doing things the way they'd want. I do hope they have another run with a major label. They deserve it and are talented enough, but if that day comes, I hope the label knows how to treat the guys considerably better than RCA.

Enough babble ... time for some rest.

25 days until kickoff. Bring it on lil Chics!

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be in the wedding of my dear friends Katie and Steve. Somehow Flip was silly enough to select me as his best man, but after being around him and the rest of the wedding party, I realized how much I enjoyed being around such good people. Flip basically got me my job at NIU, and there I was able to meet Ward and his wife Alison. NIU was an odd place to meet some fellow North Carolinians, but we all bonded in the great white north. Being around them all weekend was such a nice step back. It really made me miss and long for the days of NIU.

Our good friend Courtney, who used to coach softball at NIU, made the trip up from Florida. Shady made his way out Thursday night for the bachelor festivities. I also was fortunate enough to meet and spend more time with some of Flip and Katie's other friends and family. All in all, it was a great time to just be social and be a part of something very special.

The wedding almost went off with out any hitches. Well, until I tripped down the stairs in front of the alter as Flip, the Reverend and I walked out. That was quickly over shadowed by the fact the Reverend dropped Katie's ring in the middle of the ceremony. I suppose things like that add character to what can sometimes be too stuffy of an event. Hey, they are now married and THAT is the important thing to remember.

Tomorrow, I leave for NC to be a part of yet another wedding ... always a groomsman. Bob and Caroline get married Saturday in Winston-Salem. I'm looking forward to just being home for a few days and sleeping in my old bed. I certainly don't get home enough and won't now that football is about to knock me out. At least I get to be home for Mom's birthday!

In a move that really makes no sense to me, the Blue Jays fired their manager yesterday. Tosca was in an unfortunate situation. I suppose you can blame many things on injuries, but the Jays really have had a VERY disappointing season. I honestly believed they had a chance at the Wild Card slot, but obviously I was smoking crack when I thought that. There is always next year. I just get tired of saying that.

F YOU ARE IN WINSTON-SALEM TOMORROW EVENING, PLEASE READ THIS:

Erich and I, of ARGUS fame, will be playing at the Garage tomorrow night in Winston-Salem. We'll kick off at 9PM and play a 45 minute acoustic set. We need to drum up as much support as possible. If we have a good showing, word is the owner will let us headline whenever we are able to get back into town. I'd love to have a consistent place to play back home. I miss it all terribly. Just a quick update, I know ... but my life consists of nothing more than weddings and football right now. I look forward to seeing the faces of my friends and family in NC.